Improvement in metallic can-covers



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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY XV. SHEPARD, OF MANNSVILLE, NEV YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN METALLIC CAN-COVERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 101,929. dated April 12, 1870.

panying drawings, and to the letters of refer` ence marked thereon, making part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a vertical sectional view of my improved cover. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a milk-can partly filled with milk and the cover pressed down thereon.

y present improvement consists in a new article of manufacture, and relates entirely to the cover of the can, and is chiefly designed for that class of cans in which the cover or top acts on the principle of a float, the same being inserted within the body of the cylinder or shell, and which are known to the trade as the cheese-factory can.77 The covers now used with these cans are constructed in two pieces, the rim being securedaround the edge of the top plate or disk by a double-seamed joint.

The nature of my invention consists in constructing a metallic can-cover in one piece, thus dispensing with all seam-joints, the cover beingformed by either stamping, spinning, or pressing` the metal. A cover thus constructed is cheaper, and, being formed without seamjoints, is much more readily cleaned. rlhis proper cleansing of the cover is most important, and is very difficult in the present style of cover, as it is almost impossible to entirely remove all particles of the sour and fetid substance which will gather and accumulate in and about the joints. Again, this cover being constructed without a seam-joint, there is no ridge around the same, which, in the present style of cover, has been found most objectionable, as it not only prevents the free working of the cover in the cylinder by retarding its movement, but is also constantly wearing the side of the can. Besides, my cover being in one piece, it is impossible for the rim and top plate ever to separate or become loose; consequently there is no danger of the airchamber,

which is formed by the rim and ventilator, and which supports the top,being destroyed. Another advantage of my cover is found in the fact that it being stamped, spun, or pressed in one piece, all the natural elasticity or spring of the metal is destroyed, and consequently the cover is not only much stiffer but far more preferable in every particular for the uses intended.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use myinvention, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation.

A is the body or cylinder, and A the bottom, of the can. rIhe latter is represented as constructed in accordance with my patent for metallic can-bottoms, dated January et, 1870, and numbered 98,526.

B is the top plate, and B the rim of the cover. These are in one piece, thus dispens ing with the seam-joint at b b, and may be stamped, spun, or pressed out of any suitable metal. In the center of the top plate, B, is an opening in which is inserted an air-pipe or ventilatingtube, C.

c c are handles, which are secured on the upper surface of the top plate, B. The cover thus formed is inserted in the cylinder, as shown in Fig. 2, and, as in all this class of cans, is intended to act as a iioat, being supported by the air.

D represents the milk, and D the air-chamber, formed on the upper surface of the milk by the rim B and pipe or tube O.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, 1s-

As a new article of manufacture, the milkcan cover B B', when the same is constructed of one piece of metal, and with a suitable opening for Ventilating-tube, substantially as described, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

H. IV. SHEPARD.

Witnesses:

H. CRANDALL, E. P. GODDARD. 

